Political commentary from the LA Times

Howard Wolfson, ex-Hillary Clinton aide, gets a Fox News platform

July 8, 2008 | 9:10
am

Two different takes on one pugnacious politico...

The big news in the world of punditry today is the Fox News Channel has added to its ranks former Hillary Clintonaide Howard Wolfson -- known for his don't-give-an-inch style of pressing her case and for wearing one of the most garish sweaters known to man during a wintertime appearance on MSNBC.

In discussing why he'll be voicing his opinions on a network best known for its cadre of conservative commentators, Wolfson told The Fix'sChris Cillizza that "Fox has the largest audience in cable television -- many of its viewers are independents who will help decide the next election. It's critically important for strong progressives to be talking to and offering analysis to that audience." (The Swamp also wrote about the hire, providing some of Wolfson's background.)

Karl Rove, who now holds forth on Fox after leaving his post as President Bush's political guru, welcomed Wolfson aboard. Talking to the New York Times, he characterized Wolfson as "very smart. He strikes me as a very able guy and surprisingly pleasant and amiable.”

That doesn't quite jibe with a recent comment by Julia Reed, a contributing editor for Vogue. Discussing the magazine's ultimately futile effort to set up a photo shoot of Clinton during her presidential campaign, Reed had this to say:

Let me just say, it's not the most fun thing in the world to have breakfast a million times with [communications director] Howard Wolfson. The man is the most charmless human being on the planet ...

Some might say that means he'll fit right in on Fox (or, for that matter, any of the other cable outlets).

(UPDATE: In other media news, the venerable Ted Koppel, best known as the longtime host of ABC's "Nightline," is joining the BBC's "World News America" as a contributing analyst. His duties will include providing onsite commentary from the Democratic and Republican national conventions.)